/m/red_sox

Reader Comments and Retorts

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

If we're picking nits I don't think I'd call it "day to day." It sounds like it's probably a few days minimum. I hear "day to day" and I think there is a chance he could play tonight or tomorrow but from what I'm reading that sounds remote at best.

This comes at a pretty bad time. I'd rather not DL him if he's going to be ready next week. With 4 with the Yankees this weekend then 3 after the break with Tampa the Sox have some meaningful games coming up.

Even before we got rid of Youk, I noted that WMB seems a little delicate in the hamstring dept. I also noted that we were going to see a lot of Aviles and Punto on the left side of the field this year. Not that Youk seems to be an improvement, unfortunatly.

I was really hoping he wouldn't play this year. I think it's extremely likely at this point that he plays much better with a few days off now and then. Since the Yanks absolutely refuse to give him time off, I was hoping the All-Star break would force it. But nooooo, stupid Indians fans didn't show up to vote.

Since the Yanks absolutely refuse to give him time off, I was hoping the All-Star break would force it.

I agree, although carrying Jayson Nix as your back-up shortstop rather compels a team to run even since May 7th Jeter out there pretty often. Interestingly, since June 10th Jeter had DH'ed 3 times and gotten 2 days off. From May 10-June 10, he DH'ed once and had one day off. So maybe the Yankees are realizing the rest is good for him.

Why would this be the case? Is your position that Lillibridge or Punto is superior to Youk? That seems to be the only way a Youk trade is improved by a Will Middlebrooks injury.

He's out for a few days, maybe a week or two; it's not like he's out until 2014.

The benefit is that it's very clear that the job belongs to Middlebrooks. When he comes back from his injury there won't be any controversy about who gets to play; you don't have to worry about how happy Youk would be about going back to the bench; there won't be any clubhouse divisions.

I don't know if that's Fly's point, or whether that justifies the trade, but that's a reason to be in favor of it.

The benefit is that it's very clear that the job belongs to Middlebrooks. When he comes back from his injury there won't be any controversy about who gets to play; you don't have to worry about how happy Youk would be about going back to the bench; there won't be any clubhouse divisions.

And if Middlebrooks goes down for the rest of the year, having Youk shipped off for nothing also makes it clear it's his job.

The benefit is that it's very clear that the job belongs to Middlebrooks. When he comes back from his injury there won't be any controversy about who gets to play; you don't have to worry about how happy Youk would be about going back to the bench; there won't be any clubhouse divisions.

I don't know if that's Fly's point, or whether that justifies the trade, but that's a reason to be in favor of it.

The benefit is that it's very clear that the job belongs to Middlebrooks. When he comes back from his injury there won't be any controversy about who gets to play; you don't have to worry about how happy Youk would be about going back to the bench; there won't be any clubhouse divisions.

If that's the benefit it's a hell of a cost to have to play Nick Punto and Brent Lillibridge for the next two weeks or more if Middlebrooks is either hurt worse than we think or simply stops producing which is not out of the question.

If that's the benefit it's a hell of a cost to have to play Nick Punto and Brent Lillibridge for the next two weeks or more if Middlebrooks is either hurt worse than we think or simply stops producing which is not out of the question.

I think you're severely overrating the effect that 2012 Youk can have in 14 games. Or, for that matter, the effect that 2012 Punto can have.

I'm wondering if all this free-swinging from the Sox is cumulative from seeing everyone else free-swinging...if you know what I mean. No Ellsbury (last year he was selective), no Youk...no Tito or Theo to preach.

Exactly what I was thinking. Yes, we all know Punto and Lillibridge suck, this is not news. Sure, it would be nice to have 2010 Youk to replace Middlebrooks, however that guy ain't coming back either way. The only drawback on the trade thus far is that the magic beans we received apparently have no mystical powers.

I'm wondering if all this free-swinging from the Sox is cumulative from seeing everyone else free-swinging...if you know what I mean. No Ellsbury (last year he was selective), no Youk...no Tito or Theo to preach.

I hope so. I want them up there swinging and having fun. Makes the games MUCH better to watch.

Ah, but that is an upgrade over what they had at 3B, right? That's what keeps getting written...

All things being equal, if this is a lost year, at least I think we're in better shape moving forward than, say, the Phillies. Their current lost year has folks enraged and in a blind panic around my neck of the woods. I don't get the same sense of outrage from Boston-area folks, but then (a) we're not 10 games out like Philly is, and (b) we had a collapse last year that I think made lots of folks dial back expectations for this year.

Did any of us really have any expectations at all for this season? Their off season was not good and most of us figured the reliever to starter conversions were not going to go well. They really needed to focus on picking up some starting pitching and they didn't do that. I had no expectations and they pretty much are the team I expected. I always hope for more, but no, did not expect any more.

That top of the 9th the Sox put up against the A's tonight was hilarious. I suppose bunting into a double play can happen (if you like to bunt in the first place - which I don't - though the sac bunt there I know was defensible), but how in the world does Kalish think it's a good idea to try to steal third with two outs?

Pedroia out with a jammed thumb. Punto at short at Mauro Gomez who last played third base in 2009 is at third base. I'm not sure if I'm pissed at Cherington for this dreadful roster management or Valentine for going with Gomez over Lillibrodge with a ground ball pitcher on the mound.

Darnell McDonald announces on his twitter that the Yankees have claimed him on waivers.

Unless there is an injury that hasn't been announced, I'm not sure why the Yanks made this move. Maybe they are hoping McDonald can help them steal the Red Sox signs, but I don't see him as an improvement over Dewayne Wise.